Reassurance needed

[Blackcat122]

I'm 65, living in the UK, hovering between ckd stage 3a/3bEgfr currently 49, lowest 40 last year.

I've never had a problem with my acr until last month when I developed albumin my urine and went into acr stage 2.

Just came back from a gp appointment, she is starting me on ramapril 2.5mg.

I asked about my kidney damage, as I was concerned things were getting worse, maybe referral to consultant to investigate, but my worries were brushed aside.

You're nowhere near that stage yet I was told.

Still don't feel reassured.

Maybe it's me being hypochondriac?😂

Anyone else been in the same situation?

Thanks Susan

[Bingo88]

Good morning Blackcat122. Sadly they don't take your kidney disease seriously until your Egfr number drops a lot lower. And a lot of people are never told for years they have kidney disease. They say to eat a plant based diet. Keep an healthy weight and exercise should slow down the progression of your kidney function. There is a very good Facebook group run by Andrea where you will get plenty of help and advice and plenty of Ladies in the group. Depending on your age and health. You may even be able to get on the transplant list. The group is Chronic kidney disease uk. Hope this helps. Brian

[Blackcat122 in reply to Bingo88]

Thanks Brian for your reply. Sadly I'm not on Facebook, my husband is, so I'll ask him to lookSusan

[Bingo88 in reply to Blackcat122]

It's a very good group and they will advise you

[Badger2024 in reply to Blackcat122]

Hi Susan My advice is for you to join Facebook and don’t use your real name so that nobody can search for you. You don’t have to add anybody other than the one group. CKD UK. You don’t need to tell anyone you know that you now have FB. Just download the app for free then request to follow the group and that’s it. You may decide to follow a nutrition page too like Mediterranean Diet for example

[Blackcat122 in reply to Badger2024]

Thanks Badger 2024I'll think about what you said

Susan

[Calm2 in reply to Blackcat122]

Hi, I’m in the U.K. too, I’m your age and my eGFR was also 49. It has now gone up to 60 and I don’t know how? I’m happy of course but don’t get any info from dr as to what any of this means. I also joined the U.K. kidney group and it’s very good .😊

[Blackcat122 in reply to Calm2]

Hi Calm2Thanks for replying

I'm so pleased your egfr has gone up to 60.

There are a few different reasons that it can fluctuate, one being dehydration the day of the test, also vigorous exercise too.

You should ask your GP for another blood test to make sure that it's staying on its upward trend

Take care

Susan

[barbara55109]

In most places they don't refer you to a nephrologist until stage 4. It's annoying, but standard practice.

[Blackcat122 in reply to barbara55109]

Thanks for replying BarbaraIt is annoying as you say, and strange, you would think they would want to nip it in the bud before it gets too serious.

My concerns were, never having had albuminuria, what was causing this sudden increase, and was this the beginning of a downward spiral

Susan

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to barbara55109]

I have same situation, but do have NP who is monitoring my CKD. That is a relief. I am on Medicare.

[Badger2024]

You don’t say how you got CKD. Do you know? As you’ve only just been started on a blood pressure medication I’m assuming that it’s not from that. I’m in Australia where our health system works differently so I was able to see a nephrologist at stage 3a. My GP never gave it a second’s thought about why my kidneys were struggling. It’s important! She put it down to high blood pressure because at times I don’t take my medication as I feel my BP is low. Sure enough yesterday at my nephrologist appointment it was only 100/70 so my BP medication has been discontinued. It was only a low dose anyway. Disgraceful of the GP not to care why my eGFR has been going down. Turns out it’s from my proton pump inhibitor that I take for oesophageal reflux! Some GPs seriously don’t know that much about CKD so please don’t give a damn if your GP thinks you’re a hypochondriac. You’re not! Keep asking your GP questions and here too. You need to figure out why your kidneys are struggling so that you can do everything you can to stop them getting worse

[Blackcat122 in reply to Badger2024]

Hi Badger 2024I don't know why my kidneys are struggling

Age 65, I was diagnosed summer of 2022 egfr 58, no albuminuria BP 120/70

Egfr dropped to 40 stage 3b in the August 2022, still no albuminuria BP 120/75

I started to follow a low salt diet and my egfr started to slowly rise, around 45 - 49 stage 3a, BP still 120/75

But then albuminuria started last month, so that's why they've started me on ramapril as it's effective against albuminuria , but can also damage the kidneys, so I have a blood test in 2 weeks and a BP check in 4 weeks.

The GP doesn't seem bothered with what could be causing it, just treating it

Thanks for your reply

Susan

[renegade70 in reply to Badger2024]

watch it with the np's many know even less.

[Badger2024 in reply to renegade70]

What is an NP?

[CKD2-4 in reply to Badger2024]

NP is an abbreviation for Nurse Practitioner.

[Badger2024 in reply to CKD2-4]

Ahh thanks. Yes I think that we have them here in Australia but in more rural areas and in the outback where some people are hundreds of kilometres from doctors and hospitals

[CKD2-4 in reply to Badger2024]

it seems to be more common in the U.S with the shortage of doctors- my nephrologist just a hired a NP who I will see every other visit.

[renegade70 in reply to Badger2024]

nurse practitioner. very common in the united states.if they have specialized in a certain area like nephrology they may be helpful with labs etc. but far less training than a doctor.

[Badger2024 in reply to renegade70]

We have them here in vaccination centres. They are also called endorsed nurses as they do extra training that allows them to prescribe basic drugs like antibiotics etc. We have a lot of teaching hospitals in Sydney so first year doctors often work along side specialists in clinics

[renegade70 in reply to Badger2024]

I believe that they have to attend a specific nurse practitioner program offered in various colleges in the US. They graduate with a Masters degree. Nowhere near the extensive training of an MD.

[Darlenia]

Hi Blackcat. I'm glad you're looking for opportunities to improve your kidney function. In doing so, you may want to have a chat with your doctor(s) and ask what is the underlying cause for your kidney results. Other than simple age related decline, there's often a reason. You mention albumin which can be an outcome not only of high blood pressure but also diabetes. It's great that your doctor has placed you on a blood pressure reducing meds - that should help improve reduce the pressure on your kidneys so they don't leak as much albumin. Once you have the actual reason, then you can tailor your diet to address your specific situation. I agree with everyone regarding eating more unprocessed foods - so much of the western diet involves highly refined and packaged goods - and most of us don't exercise enough. All of us should do more in those two area. But, also take a good look at your labs and involve your doctor in what you're doing. Do you see anything that is out of range? If so, you may be able to address those via your diet. If your underlying cause is diabetes, for example, your labs may indicate that it's probably better to reduce the sugars and carbs. If your underlying cause is only high blood pressure, then perhaps less salt is appropriate. Your labs will show you the way and your doctor should take your labs on a regular basis. That's really important as we age - our electrolytes can go wonky quickly, our bones can easily fail us, etc. So awareness of your specific medical history is very important. The beauty in your situation is that your kidney situation is such that your doctor and you can take action and make a meaningful difference in their performance. I think you'll be successful!

[Blackcat122 in reply to Darlenia]

Thanks DarleniaI don't have any underlying causes, no diabetes or high blood pressure, no family history of kidney disease, so I think it's possibly just age related. Can't slow age down, but trying very hard to slow down the kidney decline!

Thanks Susan

[Darlenia in reply to Blackcat122]

We don't stay young forever! Hugs!